Ischemic Stroke
A Symbolic and Metaphorical Poem on Stroke
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This poem is part of my Neuro series, find the previous one here:
The words in bold and italic are general symptoms of an ischemic stroke.
An ischemic stroke is a common type accounting for about 87% of all strokes. It is caused by plaque or clots that line vessel walls. On noticing the symptoms, immediate medical assistance is necessary and the patient must reach a hospital within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. Learn more here.
His left side grows dim, A sudden numbness it seems. His vision, growing blurry, While his peace starts to wean. It feels as though his world Has been shut from the outside - in. ¹ A loss of balance between worlds, His patience now growing thin. "I..I," he starts to stutter, But I barely can make sense, "What are you trying to mutter?" I ask as he clutches his head in pain. Suddenly my world seems to fall, As one side of his face starts to droop, An Ischemic Stroke, I try to make a call God, no, this can't be good. To be stuck in that spot, Where your mind chokes, grasping for breath As blood there starts to clot, Caused by sadness in your heart.² Could it be what was brewing inside him? Or the fact that he doesn't let it get to his head?³ My thoughts are cut short - As the light in his eyes starts to dim.